Script of KGW-Channel 8's report on Better People
NEWS ANCHOR: TONIGHT, THIRTEEN FORMER CRIMINALS HAD A LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE. THEY VOWED TO TURN THEIR LIVES AROUND. NEWSHCHANNEL-8's KRISTA VASQUEZ IS HERE WITH MORE ON THE PROGRAM THAT HELPED THEM BECOME BETTER PEOPLE.
KRISTA VASQUEZ, CHANNEL 8 REPORTER: IT''S APPROPRIATELY CALLED "BETTER PEOPLE." IT'S A PRIVATELY RUN PROGRAM THAT'S BEEN IN PORTLAND FOR ABOUT A YEAR. ITS GOAL... TO KEEP CRIMINALS OUT OF JAIL.. AND TO HELP THEM LEAD A BETTER LIFE.
(switch to Better People MRT Graduation) IT IS A NIGHT TO REMEMBER... A NIGHT TO HONOR 13 PEOPLE WHO ARE COMMITTED TO MAKING BETTER LIVES FOR THEMSELVES.
ONE OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS IS JOHN LEE SMITH...
JOHN SMITH, Better People Graduate: "I'm 52 years old, and for once I can really say I'm happy."
KRISTA VASQUEZ: SMITH SPENT 10 YEARS IN PRISON FOR DRUGS AND ROBBERY... HE CAME OUT IN 1996 WITH LITTLE FAITH IN HIMSELF... UNTIL HE LEARNED ABOUT BETTER PEOPLE.
CHIP SHIELDS, BETTER PEOPLE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: "What they learn is to be more reliable responsible human beings and workers. not just better workers but better people."
KRISTA VASQUEZ: BETTER PEOPLE IS A NON-PROFIT, PRIVATELY RUN ORGANIZATION THAT HELPS THOSE WHO'VE BEEN IN TROUBLE WITH THE LAW... MAKE BETTER LIVES FOR THEMSELVES.
THOSE HONORED TONIGHT HAVE SUCCESSFULY COMPLETED THE GROUP'S 12 STEP PROGRAM.
JOHN SMITH: "Above all, I have become fully responsible for every aspect of my life. Certainly this program has helped me realize the potential i have to be a role model and law-abiding citizen."
KRISTA VASQUEZ: BETTER PEOPLE HAS HELPED THESE EX-OFFENDERS FIND PERMANENT JOBS THAT PAY AT LEAST 8 DOLLARS AN HOUR.. PLUS BENEFITS. SMITH WORKS IN THE SANITATION DEPARTMENT AT FRANZ BAKERY. HE PROUDLY BOASTS HE'S BEEN CLEAN AND SOBER SINCE HE GOT OUT OF PRISON.
JOHN SMITH: "I come into the program with a little faith that this is what Ineeded and what it has done is upgraded that faith in my self and gave me self esteem. I feel real good about me today."
KRISTA VASQUEZ: THE GRADUATES HERE ARE NOW PROUD TO CALL THEMSELVES PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY...AND THAT'S THE GOAL.
CHIP SHIELDS: "What's really important for people to know is that there are approaches that work and there are alternatives to building more prisons in Oregon."
KRISTA VASQUEZ: WITH THEIR PAST BEHIND THEM, THESE PEOPLE ARE NOW BETTER PEOPLE.
NOW IF YOU'D LIKE MORE INFORMATION ON BETTER PEOPLE.. YOU CAN CALL
503-281-2663 (or email Better People.)
THIS IS THE SECOND GRADUATION CEREMONY FOR BETTER PEOPLE. SEVEN PEOPLE
SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THE PROGRAM IN MARCH. NONE
HAVE
RETURNED TO JAIL.
Read John's testimonial from Better People's MRT graduation ceremony of September 30, 1999.
